• People spending a lot of time outdoors or staying in rooms without window screens or air conditioning.

• For information about West Nile Virus activity in Michigan and to report sick or dead birds, visit www.michigan.gov/westnile

•Additional information about West Nile and Chikungunya viruses can be found at www.cdc.gov/westnile

State epidemiologists have found and tested the first mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus this year.

But experts hope the unusually rainy weather will keep the number of cases down this year.

While two Michigan residents — one in Midland County and one in Wexford County — have contracted the Chikungunya virus carried by mosquitos, both were infected while travelling in the Caribbean. Four cases were reported in Boston Monday, July 7, but those individuals are suspected of being infected while travelling.

So far there have been no mosquitoes carrying the Chikungunya virus in Michigan nor in the U.S., according to the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Angela Minicuci, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

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“There is no evidence that the Chikungunya virus is being transmitted in Michigan,” said Minicuci.

However, the Michigan Department of Community Health wants Michigan residents to continue efforts to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes by emptying any containers of water where mosquitoes can breed and to protect themselves from mosquito bites that carry West Nile, which can cause serious illness or even be fatal.

Minicuci said the rainy weather Michigan has been experiencing this season does not mean there will be more mosquitoes bearing West Nile in 2014 as some suspect.

”There are more than 60 species of mosquitoes and only one (the Culex type) is capable of carrying West Nile. ... That one does well in dry weather,” she said.

“In 2012 it was a very, very dry summer and Michigan had the second-highest number of West Nile cases. So rain is very good for washing out breeding grounds.”

Nationwide there were more than 6,700 cases and 286 deaths in 2012.

In Michigan, there were 84 cases in Wayne County, with six fatalities in Detroit; 23 cases in Oakland County with no fatalities; 28 cases and three fatalities in Macomb County; 41 cases and two fatalities in Kent County and one death each in Ogemaw and Washtenaw counties.

Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile by biting a bird that carries the virus. That’s why the state keeps track of the number and location of dead birds reported by state residents.

People cannot “catch” the virus from another person.

The first West Nile virus activity for Michigan this summer has been identified in a mosquito pool from Saginaw County. With this activity, the MDCH is urging residents to apply repellents during peak mosquito biting periods such as dusk and dawn and to drain standing water around their homes.

Last year, West Nile virus was responsible for 34 serious illnesses and two fatalities in Michigan. Nationally 2,469 cases and 119 deaths nationwide were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus can cause serious neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Symptoms include a high fever, confusion, muscles weakness, and a severe headache.

“While everyone is at risk, adults who are 50 and older have the highest risk of illness caused by West Nile virus. Additionally, people who work in outdoor occupations like construction and landscaping are at increased risk of getting bitten by an infected mosquito,” said Dr. Matthew Davis, chief medical executive for the MDCH. “One bite from an infected mosquito can lead to a severe and possibly life-altering illness. Prevention is the key to protection.”

Residents are advised to use mosquito repellent products containing EPA-approved active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Draining standing water, and making sure door and window screens are in good repair will also help keep mosquitoes out of the home.